Hello Wrestling Fans!

Here is my report on North East Wrestling (N.E.W) biggest annual event, “Wrestling Under the Stars’’. It was the fourth edition, and my second straight year attending. Last year was great but I didn’t know if I would go back since a 6 hour drive for an outdoor show is always a guess. But when they announced that Rey Mysterio would be there, I knew my son and I would have to go. When Ric Flair was later added as a substitute for the injured Jeff Hardy, I was overjoyed ! I had met him in Toronto for ROH but they wouldn’t allow any photos. So this was my big chance to get one!

The Nature Boy was in great spirits, despite the sad news of Roddy Piper’s passing the day before. He was ‘’Whoooing’’ back the fans left and right, and asking Rey where would they go party after the show. Flair was really cordial, signing a copy of the book ‘’Mad Dogs, Midgets and Screwjobs’’ that co-author Pat Laprade had given me to get autographed for him. As for me I came prepared since I had brought my NWA title replica and 4 Horsemen T-shirt for the picture. I knew from seeing previous reports he most likely wouldn’t stand up so I didn’t ask him to, but the picture still turned out great as he was on a stool high enough.

Just like last year, the line was huge but the N.E.W staff is well organized (having taken parts in many such signings, they rank as one of the most efficient organization in my book) and even though it took us 75 mins to get to the wrestlers, it still ran smoothly, with so many fans in attendance.

We got there at 5 O’clock (gate opened at 4) and the place was already flooded with fans. I would say they had a slightly bigger crowd than last year, with definitely more kids, with Mysterio as the main draw. Five different vendors sold memorabilia, both current and vintage, including Lanny Poffo, who was there with ‘’Another Wrestling Podcast’’.  Savage’s brother had autographed Frisbees to sell, but it seems his Poem book is out of print by now because he didn’t have any. He was nice to the fans as usual but didn’t have much of a line.

Rey Mysterio was taken aback by my AAA shirt, which was a great ice-breaker since I had never met him before. ‘’Do you know how old that t-shirt is ?’’ is the first thing he told me. He said it was made around 1987 and was probably the first merchandise made about him. I had him sign my book and a 8x10 promo that came along the package. His autograph looks nice and I had the time to thank him for all the great matches and memories he gave us. He was even shorter than I expected though, so I crouched a little on the photo. Great meeting with maybe the greatest high-flyer of his generation. Rey had a special package for 300$, and it sold out a few days before the event, so he must have made okay this week-end. I expect him to be one of the busier free agent on the indy scene this year.

Alberto ‘’El Patron’’ was next. I shook his hand and told him it was nice to see him on TV once again with Lucha Underground. I had him sign an 8x10 promo taken after he beat Swagger at WM 29, and I told him I chose this one because I happened to be there that night. He said he really enjoyed Mania 29. He was nice but all business and his mind was somewhere else. Still a good experience. He had brought signed action figures with him as well.

The next table was Mickie James, but she was nowhere to be found. The lady helping her out said she had to go take care of her baby and she didn’t know when/if she would come back. That was bothering us a bit since we had already paid for her in advance, but we went on to meet the other wrestlers in the meantime. She did came back about half an hour later, and we did meet her as expected. She was real nice once again (we had met her a few time in the past) and seemed happy to be there.

Samoa Joe, on the other hand, politely smiled and shook hand with anyone, but, as usual, doesn’t look like he likes that kind of fan interaction. Maybe I’m wrong, but after 4 times meeting him, I have to come to that conclusion.

Matt Hardy was there, although without his brother this year. Even though I didn’t need a picture or anything, I stopped by quickly to shake his hand and congratulate him on an epic match a year ago at the same show. He seemed genuinely happy I like the match, and told me he and Jeff love the stuff the Young Bucks are doing. For those who didn’t see my report from last year, that match was one of the greatest tag-team match I’ve seen live in 30 years as an avid fan.

I had the chance to tell the Bucks about it as well, since they were there also, selling DVS, 8x10’s and T-Shirts. We had passed on them last year, so this year was the time to have our picture taken with the members of the famous Bullet Club. Both were gracious and took the time to chat a little.

Larry Zbyzsko was there also, brought by an independent vendor. He had a nice new shirt made of him, with his major accomplishments listed on the back. I thought it was real cool but I couldn’t afford it this time. Larry was raving about my autograph book since Bruno was on the cover, and asking when was it that I met him; I explained at WrestleReunion II in Valley Forge, PA, and he seemed to clearly remember the event, claiming ‘’I still have that shirt at home !’’

I talked longer with him than anybody else, saying I was so surprised to see him at a loss for words at the WWE Hall of Fame, him who couldn’t stop talking in his promos ! He said he was overwhelmed by the magnitude of it all, stopping and seeing his wife and all his fellow wrestlers in the front rows. Just as nice a guy as I remembered from 11 years ago. Too bad by this point I had spent all my money and couldn’t have him sign his biography.

We then went on to meet Flair to conclude the meet & greet, as reported above. Bushwhacker Luke and Velvet Sky, who were both advertised from the start, weren’t there, although they were taken off the N.E.W website several days before, with no explanation given. Luke was brought in by an independent vendor, and I was told on facebook the vendor had cancelled. I saw his name on a Florida event for the same date, so I guess it was closer to his home. Nothing on Sky, who was there last year and is a regular for them. The other missing name was Jerry Lawler, who they offered refund for. Apparently he had a death in his family. He, too, was there last year.

With such a big turnout to meet the wrestlers, the show started at 7h30 instead of 7h00, but it was fine with me since we needed to grab something to eat. They didn’t have to worry about the rain either, with no clouds in sight. The stadium’s screen also carried promos and storylines for all to see. We had great seats, better than last year since we didn’t have to look through the ballstop net.

Match results;

-The actual card opened with a 10 bell salute in honour of the late Roddy Piper. It was quite a scene to see thousands of people, with many young kids, completely silent as the bell rang. I couldn’t help but remember how nice, genuine and caring that guy was.

-Then Ric Flair came out in a white car to greet the fans. Flair thanked all the people who sympathized with him over the loss of his friend Piper, as well as those who congratulated him on how good his daughter Charlotte is in the ring. Flair put over North East Wrestling and owner Michael Lombardi and said we were lucky because he put up a WWE-like card for us tonight.

-Bandido Jr. pinned Mike Webb in the opening match. Very good for what it was, with both guys working the crowd well. I like the match.

Just as the referee raised the winner’s arm, Warbeard Hanson and his manager ran to the ring to attack Bandido, culminating with a power bomb. Warbeard’s manager than took the mike and said his protégé would beat Taven for the belt tonight.

-In a 6-men tag-team match, Randy Shawn, The Big Ang and Joe Ausiano beat Daniel Evans, Jake Manning and Mike Gallagher with a triple pinfall. Only bad match of the night, as Ang and Ausano have no business in the ring in such a big show. I must say they were better than last year though. But as a second match and short, it came out okay.

-In a ladies match, Mickie James pinned Mandy Leon of ROH fame with her patented version of the DDT. Longer than usual for a woman’s match, with good technical wrestling and some fast action. Only thing I couldn’t understand is why Leon would come to the ring with a HotRod shirt and slap hands with fans on her way to the ring, only to become an arrogant heel once the bell rings. But besides, that match lived up to the expectations for me.

-Lanny Poffo came to the ring to read a poem about Roddy Piper. Lots of ‘’Randy Savage’’ chants here. Poffo threw Frisbees in the crowd and gave scarves to kids on his way to the ring. He got a nice reaction from the fans.

-Matt Hardy beat Kaleb Konley by pinfall. Very solid bout here from two veterans. Hardy was bothered by a fan with a sign that read ‘’Fat Hardy’’ during the match. Hardy has slowed down a bit but knows what he has to do to get the crowd involved. Good match.

-Brian Anthony pinned Ron Zombie in a falls count anywhere. Zombie was going for revenge here after being put on the injured list for a whole year by Anthony’s axe handle. They exchanged wild punches at the start and quickly went out of the ring, never to come back. Like all the matches of this kind, it’s exciting when they fight next to you, but boring while you can’t see them. They brawled from one end of the stadium to the other, spilling many fans’ beers in the process. Finish came when Anthony dropped an elbow from the top rope on Zombie, who was lying on a table close to the guardrails. I can’t give much detail here since we couldn’t see the actual bump, nor the pinfall. But in this day and age, people were expecting more than one big bump to end the match, especially after all that hype. I know how hard these matches are on the body, but I expected more.

-back from intermission (around 20 minutes, barely enough time to run through all that merchandise for sale…) Samoa Joe beat Dijak by submission with the Kokina clutch. I had never seen Dijak before, and I thought he was good. Disappointing match for me though; not as hard-hitting as the habitual Joe indy match, and most of all, no muscle buster !

-The excitement more than picked up after that, with N.E.W champion Matt Taven successfully defending his title with a pinfall victory over Warbeard Hanson with a top rope splash. See-saw match-up here, with lots of action and Hanson showing amazing ability for his size, most of the time matching the much thinner Taven move for move, including an impressive cartweel spot. I absolutely loved this match.

Main Event definitely had a big match feel. Historic first meeting of the Young Bucks and the team of Alberto Del Patron (Rio) and Rey Mysterio Jr. Although not as good as last year’s match with the Hardys (pretty much impossible to beat anyway) it was a very good match, and the star power of the participant gave an aura of importance to the match. They did a long tease of hand shaking in the beginning, and it was all action after that. The end came when Alberto had one of the Buck brother in his submission hold, with Mysterio top rope splashing the other brother at the same time for a pinfall/submission double win. Mysterio took an awful lot of time after the match to greet all the kids who wore his masks.

Card went 3 hours, which is the perfect length as far as I’m concerned for a show that big. The matches flowed well and the progression one looks for in a wrestling event was definitely there. I found this year’s event more balanced and overall maybe better than last year, even without the five star main event.

As usual, all in all another great night of wrestling. I got my money’s worth and I’ so glad I went. Perfect weather, perfect seats, good matches and some star power. It looks so simple to do went it’s done right. Thanks to all the folks at North East Wrestling for putting together such an unbelievable event.

By the way, if anyone from N.E.W is reading this, what about an idea for next year: The Young Bucks VS the Wolves ?

Who wouldn’t want to see that ?

Thanks for reading

Frank